Mike Sajovie, Writer

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1985

Before gentrification, two rival gangs divided South Newburg. They were the Shirts and the Skins. The Shirts shopped at Banana Republic. The Skins did not. The Shirts consumed large quantities of Orange Julius. The Skins did not. And the Shirts used rocket-propelled grenades while the Skins threw rocks. The Skins were losing until Rambo showed up. When Rambo showed up, the Skins gained respect. I’ll never forget the looks on their faces when they took control of Chuck E Cheese. It was like watching manna fall from the sky. Their bony rib cages and bloated bellies filling up with food for the first time in years. The way they played dice for the Members Only jackets they took from the Shirts. It made me think a new world order was unfolding. At least for a few hours.